32 Hidden Features in Apple iOS 8

SAN FRANCISCO—Apple's iOS 8 has more new features than Apple had time to tell us about. We're likely to hear about dozens of them in the upcoming weeks, as developers dig into the new iPhone and iPad software. But every year when Apple rolls out a new OS, it also displays a "hidden features" slide with dozens of new features it didn't get around to talking about during the keynote.

This year, there were 32 features on the slide, and some of them were repeats from the presentation: "Hey, Siri" for hands-free access to Siri, for instance. But as always, there were some unheralded biggies.

Wi-Fi calling is the biggest deal. T-Mobile and Sprint let you make standard cellular phone calls over Wi-Fi in areas where you don't have any cell phone signal. But until now, iPhones have never supported that helpful feature. It looks like the next version of the iPhone will have Wi-Fi calling.

A few of the other features appear strategic. Apple has moved away from Google and towards Bing with its Spotlight search this year: adding DuckDuckGo to Safari emphasizes that there is more than one search engine in the world, and maybe you should consider using a non-Google one. There are a few moves to integrate iBooks more closely - remember how Amazon is having trouble with publishers? Apple should want some of that market share.

I'm also happy to see a focus on accessibility for blind and hearing-impaired users. But look through the list - maybe you'll find something else that really floats your boat.

Here's what's coming in iOS 8 that you may have missed.

Accessibility Features

Alex voice for accessibility

Braille keyboard for direct 6-dot braille input

Improved zoom for accessibility

Multi-device support for Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids

Touch ID to exit from Guided Access

App Enhancements

Auto night mode in iBooks

DuckDuckGo support in Safari

Flyover city tours

iBooks built into iOS

Navigation for China

Private browsing per tab in Safari

Rich text editing in Notes

RSS feeds in Shared Links

See your books as a series in iBooks

Tips app

Vector maps in China

Camera Enhancements

Camera timer

Instant burst mode

Panoramic photos on iPad

Separate focus and exposure in Camera

Other Features

24 new dictation languages

Battery usage by app

Hey, Siri

In Case of Emergency card

Indian, Tagalog, Irish Gaelic, and Slovenian keyboards

Lunar calendar support

New definition dictionaries

Purchase iTunes content with Siri

Shazam with Siri

Sneak screen

Travel time notifications

Wi-Fi calling

For PCMag's first take on the Apple announcements, check out the video below.

PCMag.com's lead mobile analyst, Sascha Segan, has reviewed hundreds of smartphones, tablets and other gadgets in more than 9 years with PCMag. He's the head of our Fastest Mobile Networks project, one of the hosts of the daily PCMag Live Web show and speaks frequently in mass media on cell-phone-related issues. His commentary has appeared on ABC, the BBC, the CBC, CNBC, CNN, Fox News, and in newspapers from San Antonio, Texas to Edmonton, Alberta.
Segan is also a multiple award-winning travel writer, having contributed...
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